AFAD STATEMENT
NINTH ANNIVERSARY
In 1998,
we committed ourselves in the name of solidarity to harness all our
strength, to overcome our national boundaries to be able to address the
injustices of our past and present in our continued efforts to combat
involuntary disappearance. We promised not just ourselves but the
families we stood by to never let this crime against humanity happen
again.
We were
only three countries in Asia back then: Philippines , Sri Lanka and
Kashmir, India. Together with FEDEFAM, our Latin American counterpart,
we envisioned a federation of Asian human rights organizations that
shall dedicate its work to the causes of the victims of involuntary
disappearances and a strong group that shall see the day when the world
will finally be rid of this worst violation of human rights.
This
federation soon grew from three member-countries to seven, at present,
as Indonesia, Pakistan, Thailand and Nepal have come to join hands with
us. From these seven countries, we have seven member-organizations.
Families in Asia soon expressed solidarity amongst each other as they
have found oneness in the pain they feel and in the hopes they hold that
truth shall be revealed and justice will be done.
Last
year, we have welcomed three new member-organizations: Working Group
on Justice For Peace (Southern Thailand), Advocacy Forum (Nepal) and
Claimants 1081 (Philippines).
Over the
years, our strength and solidarity have been tested not only by external
issues but internal problems as well. However, these have never become
grounds to lose faith in our work. On the contrary, these challenges
have only become a source of hope as it has shown that the federation
can and will always be ready to brave all odds.
Thus, we
have seen some members go. The Families of the Victims of Involuntary
Disappearances withdrew last year. The Tiananmen Mothers from China,
which joined in 2002, faded in terms of active participation due to
tight security controls in the country cutting them from the
communication system.
Nevertheless, these have never hindered us from working towards our
vision. With the support of FEDEFAM and our network of international
organizations, the United Nations International Convention for the
Protection of All Persons from Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances
which we have lobbied for years, has finally been adopted by the United
Nations General Assembly in December 2006 and signed by 57 states in
February 2007. Only four Asian states have signed: India, Japan,
Azerbaijan and Mongolia. Although this is a big step towards our
vision, we still have much to do in lobbying and convincing our
respective governments to sign and ratify this crucial instrument.
It is
quite timely today that all seven member countries have come together to
celebrate this ninth year of the federation. Coinciding on this date
is the anniversary of the Tiananmen Massacre and so we send to the
Tiananmen Mothers our expressions of solidarity in their struggle. We
hope that our efforts would contribute to echoing their voices in China
and in the world.
Despite
our many difficulties, we have all come a long way. Let us celebrate
this day remembering the families and our missed dear loved ones. It
is to them that we toast for a hard-earned year! May the light of hope
shine even brighter for us in the coming years as we continue to fight
against impunity; to fight for truth, justice and human rights.
With you
always in solidarity!
Signed:
Mugiyanto
Mary Aileen Bacalso
Chairperson
Secretary-General
